WXDU's MissionWXDU, as a member of the Duke University Union, exists to inform, educate, and entertain both the students of Duke University and the surrounding community of Durham through quality progressive alternative radio programming. WXDU seeks to give its staff the freedom to pursue their personal aesthetic within the framework of a cohesive format. WXDU aims to provide the listener with an alternative viewpoint untainted by commercial interests. WXDU resolves to maintain good relations with the music industry without compromising its integrity and nationally recognized commitment to quality programming. WXDU resolves to remain a laboratory where all members are free to make and learn from their mistakes.

Nostalgia might be cheap, but Anthony Gonzalez pulled all the right strings with this one. There's something to be said for making you remember the pain and wonder of growing up while avoiding the traps of exageration and whimsey. Instead, through the layers of synths and reverb we get a longing for youth, and a celebration of everything good and bad about it: nothing more, nothing less, and completely earnest.

2. Why? - Alopecia

Few artists can be this honest on a record and get away with it, but Yoni Wolf opens up the darkest, funniest and most bizarre parts of his mind on every track. Like all great pieces of writing, you can take something different away from his lyrics each time you hear them. Little details that might be glossed over in the deluge of speak-singing on first listen become little gems that keep you coming back. Oh, and it also helps that Wolf and company write some catchy tunes to go along with those lyrics.

3. Los Campesinos! - Hold On Now Youngster

I'm pretty sure that Los Campesinos! is probably the bane of many musical tastes, including those of my fellow WXDUers, and part of me completely understands. If you let it get under your skin, this music could definitely be obnoxious. If you dare to let yourself roll with it, it's also a freakin' blast. So these guys a re a bunch of brats, sure, but they're brats with serious amounts of energy, willing each song to a higher level. Give them a chance and maybe you'll be banging your head to "Broken Heartbeats Sound Like Breakbeats" too.

4. The Walkmen - You & Me

This album was subdued, murky and gorgeous. "In The New Year" is near the top of my favorite tracks for this year, and the rest of the album, while never reaching as high of an apex than this, doesn't really have a valley of declined quality to speak of.

5. Marnie Stern - This Is It...

After her debut album, it was a tossup as to whether I actually liked Marnie Stern or whether I was just gripped enough by her curious, quirky style to listen to her a few times. This album made my mind up for me. She may be over-hyped in terms of virtuosic geetar shredding (she can be kind of sloppy at times), but she certainly deserves all of the praise for doing something different and interesting.